Dodgers Video: Ethier, Gonzalez, Pederson And Rollins Home Runs

For virtually all of its existence, Dodger Stadium has been known as a pitcher’s park. The symmetrical shape of its deep outfield coupled with the marine layer at night has for years kept the Dodgers in the bottom half of MLB home runs lists.

That has changed this year, however, as the Dodgers now lead the Majors with 32 home runs. Their newfound power surge was on full display Wednesday night in the rubber match against the San Francisco Giants as Joc Pederson, Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier all unloaded on Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong to combine for three home runs in the first inning:

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Then in the third inning, Jimmy Rollins, who has struggled this season at the plate, joined the fun by hitting a solo shot to right field for the Dodgers’ fourth and final home run of the night:

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For their part, the players and manager Don Mattingly have noticed less moisture on the grass and in the dugout during night games but otherwise haven’t been able to explain the phenomenon of home runs now flying out of Dodger Stadium on a regular basis.

Interestingly enough, the Dodgers have risen to the top of the home runs list despite the departure of Hanley Ramirez, whose 10 home runs with the Boston Red Sox lead the Majors, and Matt Kemp, who for years was the Dodgers’ top right-handed power bat.